Jimbo's Link
Here are a few anecdotal incidents from South Carolina yesterday that bolster my opinion that any SC poll showing Trump winning evangelicals is Hot Garbage.
For Cruz, standing ovation BEFORE he even speaks here at Bob Jones University.
— Vaughn Hillyard (@VaughnHillyard) February 12, 2016
At least 1/3 of crowd at Bob Jones University makes for the exits while surrogate preaches about Trump's pro-life beliefs. This is...awkward
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) February 12, 2016
Man, audience response to this pro-Trump minister is remarkably tepid. Even blatant applause lines are met with silence or scattered claps.
— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) February 12, 2016
joshuaf's Link
Donald Trump’s God Problem
By: Caleb Howe (Diary) | February 12th, 2016 at 05:11 PM | 55
Donald Trump has a problem with God. Or more specifically, he has a ‘God problem.’ At least when it comes to voters in South Carolina, for whom Christian faith is often a requirement in a public official. This is simply the reality of the state, not a judgment on religion.
But Donald Trump is not credible when it comes to God. At least, not to folks who take the subject seriously, like they do in the First in the South state. And it already shows.
Last night, I attended an event for Senator Ted Cruz in Fort Mill, South Carolina. The rally was in a large church building, and was packed with people. The crowd was more than enthusiastic, and Rep. Steve King, special guest Glenn Beck, and of course Senator Cruz all included religious themes in their remarks. The crowd most definitely approved.
The event was jam-packed and the atmosphere was excited. The crowd broke into cheers and applause many times, and there were plenty of “testify” moments as members of the audience shouted back to Sen. Cruz, shouted out slams on Trump, or just plain whooped and hollered.
One thing that came up several times was Donald Trump’s authenticity on the subject, with both King and Beck specifically mentioning the Donald’s lack of credibility, even saying the idea that he had ever “cracked open” a Bible was “bullcrap.”
After the event, I asked a number of people what they thought, who they were voting for, and what they specifically thought of Trump.
One older couple really stood out for me. The wife was using a walker, and both were bundled against the cold. They took a minute to speak with me about who they were voting for, without using their names.
She told me that she had not decided yet who to vote for, but that she was now considering Ted Cruz for her vote. I asked her who else she had considered and she surprised me when she said Trump, though not enthusiastically. Her husband leaned forward to quickly say Trump more emphatically. I asked them both why they were now considering Ted Cruz, and she responded that he “seemed to know God better,” which I thought was a great line. Her husband nodded along with.
I was expecting a more definitive rejection of Trump from the crowd that cheered so loudly the talk of God and booed so thoroughly recounting of his recent comments and language. But generally those leaving were still soft in their opposition to Donald. The thing that was hanging them up was his faith.
Another woman was leaving on her own. Again, she was older and had a cane, though I suspect for health problems not age. I asked her the same questions and she told me that Trump was no longer a consideration for her, though he had been up until that night. I asked her why and she said “he doesn’t seem to know about the Bible.”
I got the same from a younger couple, who also described Trump as “awful”. I met a member of the military who left certain he was going to vote for Trump, but his girlfriend was for Cruz. Far out in the parking lot I met a group of four girls who seemed to be in their twenties, one of whom hollered out “dump Trump!” I asked her why, and she said he was “fake” about God.
The crowd inside was strong in their support of Ted Cruz and everything the speakers said. They did not in any way seem undecided. In the exodus afterward, nearly everyone who I asked about Trump refused to answer. A “don’t say anything if you can’t say anything nice” attitude still rules in Fort Mill, South Carolina. As a result, nearly all of the few people would talk to me still had, or had previously held, a soft spot for Donald Trump. But after this event, that soft spot was gone.
In South Carolina, faith matters. It is not some small quirk of the electorate. It’s a big deal. And Donald Trump’s overtures toward seeming to be a faithful, Bible-reading, God-fearing man aren’t selling. He’d probably be better off toning down his claim to faith. Right now, they see him as a liar. Both the crowd cheering when King called him a liar on faith, and the few people I met who still held some sympathy toward him. They just don’t buy Donald Trump as a Bible man.
;o)
If you really think that the Cruz campaign's accidental hiring of a porn actress for a 1 minute political ad is going to mean anything to devout evangelical Christians compared to Trump's 3 marriages, his nude model wife, his boasting about bedding some of the top women in the world and his quasi-incestual comments (multiple times) about his daughter Ivanka, then I think you don't know Southern evangelical Christians very well.
@VickyBrush What about this guy? pic.twitter.com/EdKrKtWd40
— Jack Hutchinson (@jhutch1962) February 13, 2016
And if you think Cruz calling out "onward Christian soldiers" or his wife referring to Cruz as the face of god is some kind of innocent reference.. just Google "Cruz" and see what images come up.
For Cruz and his disciples this isn't about a government based on freedom of religion for all, it's a far more dangerous my-way-or-nothing-at-all Christian Taliban style takeover of government... by a group equally happy to burn it all down if they don't get their way.
That loses the general election and hands the country to Hillary. Those less radical see it, and are moving towards Trump and the others. It's no accident that 99 other Senators do not support Cruz. Random tweets from meaningless strangers notwithstanding....
You might want to keep some Valium handy for next Saturday night if Cruz wins SC.
They haven't come close to hitting him with everything, and I guarantee you the average evangelical churchgoer who may currently be supporting Trump doesn't have the smallest inkling of his history of immoral behavior and lifestyle.
Jim in Ohio's Link
Lame? Are you serious? Have you seen some of things people have said about Trump from his PERSONAL past that people have no knowledge of what so ever.
Rafael Cruz is damaged goods. He has a seat in the Senate. You can't get a little bit pregnant. He IS Washington and ALL things wrong with America.
I did not vote for, I did vote for, it was a poison pill.....he is a liar and a snake as he proved in Iowa and a careless scumbag as he proved in SC.
Rafael Cruz is the poison pill of politicians and SC sees that all too clear. Face it. SC is in his wheelhouse with all the Evangelicals and he will still be demolished.
People of SC appear to realize one thing. The are leery of Donald Trump but they absolutely do not trust Rafael Cruz.
Laughable really.
The Rock
Enlighten me to this "immoral behavior"?
Did you ever masturbate?
The Rock
I'm guessing Rocky was a 2-time Clinton voter as well.
Typical of many of the low-information voters who are blindly supporting Trump.
I agree with everything that you have said.
What did that accomplish? Hand claps from the CF who agree with you.
That is the way to expand the mind and thinking processes. Tap into all things and people to which you agree and totally dismiss all else.
bk himself would be proud of you. That is exactly why we pay attorneys. Are you an attorney?
The Rock
The Rock
Anti-abortion activists announcing their dislike of Trump at Bob Jones U, Greenville. pic.twitter.com/CMoOmiEajI
— Rudolph Bell (@DolphBell) February 12, 2016
"I'm guessing Rocky was a 2-time Clinton voter as well."
I imagine you are speaking to your buddies. Remember, when you speak.
.....and this takes the cake...."Typical of many of the low-information voters who are blindly supporting Trump."
...Blindly.....Read your own posts.
Look. Rafael Cruz will NEVER be POTUS. Never. Accept that. This is country is stupid no doubt as you say, but not that stupid.
I am speaking to you not your "crowd".
The Rock
Anony Mouse's Link
That was a very good read and I agree with much that was penned because I have lived the spectrum of which this man refers.
I do however question this... "immigrants I actually encounter, of all ethnicities, typically come across as classically American—cheerful, hardworking, optimistic, ambitious."
I can say from our experience in building projects across this nation that this is absolute fantasy to disguise and temper the rage that is tearing this nation apart.
America no longer requires immigrants from any nation on this earth. America was at one time dependent upon immigration to further their industrial dreams. European immigrants are largely responsible for the greatest nation on earth bringing to these shores family values, pride, craftsmanship, religion and respect. Those dreams have long been realized and that fledgling nation has long grown to self supporting status. The decline of this nation can be attributed to a nation where-in each tribe claims to be a nation and the class of immigration that floods are gates. Immigrants today in general flock to the land of honey for handouts and money of which they have not invested one dime. They are content and happy, yes, to be provided for without such an investment. America is full. There is no more room at this time to take in immigrants who impact the people who populate its own country to which they have invested their own blood and sweat to the negative. Sad, because if any country could afford it and would do so it is America. That America is now walking with a cane and borrowing daily on its past reputation to cover these costs.
The Rock
I will say this. I am learning as I go on this site and I have been learning for some time, probably much longer than anyone here.
What you KNOW of me is ONLY from these engagements. The same of course goes the other way. You KNOW nothing of me. Nothing and you never will.
Some people NEED to be accepted and are, by the same here, for that very reason. Other will voice their opinion regardless of the backlash or the NUMBER of those who do not agree because they speak for themselves. Not in pluralities, not the masses not be to ACCEPTED and NEVER to be intimidated by ANYONE.
Whenever someone new enters this site if they do not agree with you or your weak cronies they are immediately cast as the "enemy". Say I am wrong...
TSI is a good man. No one came to his defense. Why? Because he was a threat to the "club". Grow the fuq up. We are not screwing cheerleaders here.
Well guess what? I will speak what I want when I want about who I want. If you don't like it, well, fuq you and your friends. You never paid my mortgage. Hows that sound?
If that is what you want that is what you will get. I can take it all day long but be prepared to also become the target. It does not go both ways. If however you would rather engage in debate and yes, heated argument where both parties are opened minded and can truly LEARN something I am in concert.
I will walk beside anyone. I walk behind no one.
The Rock
Tru...that caught me, too. And I fear that will be the downfall of this country, especially since that entire notion is an impossibility due to the nature of man.
It's the antithesis of the fable about the little red hen.
Says a lot about your mind set Rocky. Perhaps if you cleaned it up so it was acceptable to a public forum we could actually receive some of what you are saying. You seem to be well educated and intelligent but totally disrespectful. Its that disrespectful part for others and their right to opinion and discourse that causes me and perhaps others to not appreciate your opinions as much as you would like. I'm not talking about politically correctness here but just common decency and respect for others.
All that said I pray for you and like you. I do not understand your hatred of Cruz as it seems to be based on no real thing or things other than perhaps race. Are you a raciest? There seems to be no other reason I can see for the vulgarity and profanity which usually , albeit not in your case, is a substitute for a poor education and vocabulary.
God bless, Steve
@CalMur2 @SlappinJihadis @ChuckNellis @ss31704_s @Unruly_Govern @LibertyBell1000 @townhallcom pic.twitter.com/ktTQ70ihm3
— JohnPaul1958 (@Paul1958John) February 13, 2016
Coming from the guy that says, "There seems to be no other reason I can see for the vulgarity and profanity which usually , albeit not in your case, is a substitute for a poor education and vocabulary."
No matter how you spell it, it still sounds the same!!
You guys are sofa-king hilarious sometimes!
Lately there is no reason to follow any threads! They all say the same thing. I read them from the bottom up and stop when I see something fun to dig my claws into!
It's still funny though!!!
Or worse...Bernie Sanders! If Trump was a plant designed to create divide among republicans...it worked! At least here on bowsite it worked. If it works here I'm sure it's working everywhere. I've pretty much decided it time to move to a tropical island and retire.
That sounds like it could apply to Trump as well. ;)
To another I respect here.
I ask you or anyone else to go back and review the "group" who posted against me and what was said and see where the denigration began.
I have been here a long time as I stated. If people want to intimidate they screwed with the wrong guy.
tru,
I am a tough guy. Always have been and always will be. I know that and have the scars to prove it in my life. Does that somehow bother you? Express yourself any way you like. You have that right and so does everyone else.
I will tell you the same. My anger began when the holier than thou crowd started to embarrass others here. Sniping about their stupidity and their obvious lack of education. That $hit has never run with me because they have always been cowards looking down their noses.
When I interceded they thought they were just going to pound on another person into submission.
In a rats a$$. Nobody likes the strong who hold their ground and refuse to give in and cut their own path. The weak gravitate to the weak and now peoples feelings are hurt and their sensibilities crushed over some angled words.
I respected everyone here at one time. That respect has quickly ebbed to a few when I witnessed how the "chosen" declared themselves judge and jury.
The Rock
Some of what you just said I agree with. Specifically, it has appeared to me that in the past there seemed to be a group (Wolf Pack according to one poster) who would join together to shut down an individual holding a different opinion than the generally accepted one. Again, this is my opinion, others will certainly deny that there ever was a group effort to bully.
I noticed recently though there seems to be some push back when that happens now. You may even deserve some credit for this! Whatever the reason, I believe it is good for the site and our discussions to allow for a diverse opinion. The passion should remain but the personal attacks should not be tolerated.
You hinted about leaving after, my words here, settling some score. JMO again, but that would seem to be beneath your character. You add to this site. Debate the views and do not make anything here personal.
Regarding tough guys, there is ALWAYS someone else tougher in the crowd. Tough guys that are comfortable with themselves never have to tell us how tough they are.
I respect those who show respect in kind. I always have and always will. I also know very well the philosophy of punishment and reward.
I will drop the gloves with ANYONE if that is the route they wish to pursue. I do mean ANYONE if the stakes permit. Regardless, it does indeed take a person who is tough in every aspect of his character to so. The tough survive. The weak perish. That is God' law of nature.
I tried in vain to back away from my barbs and that was met with misunderstood "capitulation". What do we say of one who would take that tack. We throw adages around here like popcorn in a park.
I have not heard one, one person here chastise, and I will use TSI's term the "wolfpack " on this site. Never even as I have said before they self pronounced their superiority. What adage we you attach to those of that ilk? I have never heard it but I am a tough guy because I am a tough guy? There is a very strange fear that for some reason validates that cause.
I am not the only tough guy in this world and maybe not the toughest guy in this world. When I decide to engage with those who I believe are running roughshod over other people's feelings and their lives as if their thoughts and beliefs do not count in this world I will be the toughest guy I can be. If ANYONE believes that they decide to take up and defend that cowardly cause they best be ANOTHER tough guy, and, they may very well be. Then we take it from there. Most times it will end there. No..no.. Not here. The band and peanut gallery must get their licks in. That is when it falls apart.
I am going reveal something personal here. KPC and I were getting into it pretty good a while back and all his buddies jumped in which of course I could care less. I made a derogatory statement about the acceptance rate of the college that KPC attended as the tenor of our argument was being led by his boast of intelligence...or so I believed at the time.
When I hit that submit button I sagged. That post was immediately removed. KPC PM'ed me and asked why the post was removed. I told KPC I crossed the line and I apoligized. Well do you know the response. In so many words....go fuq yourself.
KPC...thank you for making me that much tougher.
You are WRONG KPC. Tough guys have to remind people like you every minute of every day how tough they are to keep you in line and in your place when you believe yourself to be above an apology. That is weak not tough. Sad but true.
There are others things going on in the background of this site that people know nothing about that involves me. I have found out some who you may think that are tough but are anything but when it comes to manning up. Believe what you will.
The Rock
I have had the opportunity to meet, live or work with some real tough guys throughout my life. Not one ever said they were tough. And the meek and weak always survived around them because they knew it was their duty to be their brother's keeper.
No doubt your heart is in the right place. Dispense with the rhetoric (in my view). Do give back exactly what is given to you when appropriate. You will not have to always go it alone when you are attacked. For example, I saw more than one poster welcome you back when someone else made a derogatory remark. I am sure that was intentional. You will be respected, as you already are by many here.
And KPC is pretty intelligent, he is able to construct some well written prose. I don't always agree with him, especially when he is wrong:)
Internal poll for Bush PAC shows much tighter SC race: Trump 26, Cruz 24, Jeb 12, Rubio 11--while public surveys give Trump a huge lead
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) February 15, 2016
Memo to Bush PAC says Cruz jump "based on significant support" in upstate S.C. "where evangelical Christians are heavily concentrated"
— HowardKurtz (@HowardKurtz) February 15, 2016
joshuaf's Link
Anyone who thinks Trump is going to run away with South Carolina because of what a few public polls have said in the last few days might want to take more of a "wait and see" attitude on that.
http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/02/15/the-secret-army-stumping-for-ted-cruz.html?via=desktop&source=twitter
HA/KS's Link
I sense apprehension in your post for the prospect of Rafael Cruz to be the runaway winner in this primary as previously believed. People appear to be on the edge of their seats, biting their nails to the quick over Donald Trump's possible ascension.
The last debate IMO has given some hope to the Cruzheads which otherwise Trump would have had this race laid to rest. I also believe George Bush is going to play a factor in SC, the extent of which we do not know at this time. This may hurt Trump but may also propel Rubio.
There may indeed be a surprise. We will see.
The Rock
With Donald's #TrumperTantrum press conference today about suing Cruz, I think it's pretty safe to say that Donald himself does not believe those public polls that show him ahead in SC by 15-20%. He's already spinning a potential loss in South Carolina. Not a good look, certainly not a confident look to say you're going to sue another candidate because they're exposing your record. If he does lose SC, no doubt he will come up with some excuse as to why it wasn't legitimate, just like he tried to do in SC. That's the only way he, who only "wins", can save face and not take a huge hit to his "brand". If he loses SC on Saturday, especially if he loses it big, I think he's going to start looking very hard for an excuse/strategy for exiting the race. The calendar won't get any easier for Trump after South Carolina, as the other Southern states that vote on March 1 are as Conservative or moreso than SC, and then there's Texas, which Cruz will win in a landslide.
Steve
@ACBadBeat @jflo_1976 pic.twitter.com/SMYdYlyr5G
— Sneaky Black Dog (@SneakyBlackDog) February 15, 2016